Review & Giveaway: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Description of Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing 

by Kathy Cano-Murillo from the publisher, Hachette:

Sometimes to find your life's true path, you have to stray outside the lines . . .

Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.

But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.

My Thoughts:

Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing was a fun book to read. It was the perfect time for me to read a book that is funny, full of interesting characters, focuses on creativity and  has a thoughtful message to readers. Yes, the book focuses on sewing and crafting but you don't have to be a sewer or crafter to enjoy this book. I am not a sewer but am a bit crafty and enjoyed the way the author brought her love and passion for crafting to the pages.  If you are a sewer and/or into crafting or are interested in either you will find the book full of great ideas and there are some How-To ideas at the back of the book. Miss Scarlet's idea of Patternlesss sewing is free spirited like Scarlet and she encourages the ladies in her class to find and express their true selves. The patternless sewing idea was also a tool to look at their own lives and examine the patterns they are following. We often follow patterns in our lives based on tradition, obligations and even by the family we are born into or raised by. Scarlet encouraged the ladies to examine if these patterns were working for them and to find a way to change them if desired.  I liked this dual approach that the author chose to write the story tying the patternless sewing concept into the lives of the characters in the book.  This book focuses on friendship, finding your passion/purpose and following your dreams, family relationships and love, as well as crafting, sewing and fashion. The strength of this novel is the passion and strength of the characters, their hearts and the fun that they have as they grow and change. This is a book that is fun, flashy, creative and one that I would recommend when you want to read a fun book that also has substance and depth. This is the second book in the Crafty Chica series by Kathy Cano-Murillo but it is a stand alone book. The first book is Waking up in the land of Glitter .

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Check out this fun book trailer: 

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* CLOSED

Giveaway package courtesy of Hachette Book Group: includes 1 copy of MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING & 1 copy of Waking Up in the Land of Glitter

For 1 Entry: All you have to do is leave a comment.  Make sure to include your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. Otherwise, I won't be able to include your name in the drawing. 

For a 2nd Entry (Separate Comment):  Follow my blog, you can follow through Google Friend Connect to the left in my side column. If you already do, thank you, and please  make sure to let me know in your comment so I can pass the entry on to you as well. Make sure to include your email address.

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Open to US and Canada only, No PO Boxes. Publisher will mail books directly to the winner.

Enter by March 20, 2011. GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED